I live in the country, and I have well water with a 285 PPM TDS reading as my main water source. This means I need to use RO or rainwater to get softer water for my soft water killies. Two months ago, I misplaced my TDS meter. I have since guesstimated my water TDS level, but I really didn't know the true TDS levels of my water. I have since given up the hunt for my old TDS meter and bought another. My TDS has now been found to be at 125 PPM TDS and I would like it to be closer to 70 PPM for my Diapterons. My question is, at what speed should I reduce the TDS levels of my water? 10PPM per week? I really am not sure, and any thoughts would be appreciated.

I use rainwater, mixed with my well water to get the desired TDS levels of my water (hence the need for the TDS meter). I have a pole barn with a metal roof draining into a rainwater barrel for collecting the rainwater.

Scott

Hi Scott!

To start, I can offer my protocol:) I know fish in the wild, at times, get exposed to fluctuations in tds all the time, so the biggest change I have recorded myself via rainstorm, is 50ppm/tds in a matter of an hour or so, so 50 it is for me:)

Also, I have bred diapterons in 150tds water:)


Markus

Scott, my situation is similar to yours. I have tap water that measures between 19 and 240 ppm on a Hanna TDS meter. I collect rain water that measures about 30-40 ppm. I find that a 50/50 mixture works well for soft water killies. I adjust them to that level from tap water TDS in about a day of addition/replacement. So, over a 24 hour period cutting the ppm in half does not seem to bother the fish. I aim for about 100 ppm as measured. I achieve this my straight addition of rain water after first getting to the 120 -140 ppm level. that drop is no problem.

Thank you for your responses. I have been mixing 75% rainwater to 25% tap water to be close to my desired TDS level. With my Hanna meter, I can closely monitor my exact numbers. My cyanostictum SAM have clearly not been told their TDS is too high, they are still spawning at 125 PPM TDS levels. Abacinum seem a little more reluctant though.